September 03, 2021

Merkley, Wyden Announce $2.1 Million in Funding to Protect Kids in Medford from Lead Paint

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that $2.1 million in federal funding is headed to Medford to protect children from lead-based paint hazards in older homes. 

“No Oregonian—regardless of where they live or what their job is—should have to worry about whether their home is poisoning them or their children,” said Merkley. “I’m pleased that this funding is coming to Medford to help us address the threats posed by remnants of lead-based paint, and will continue to fight for more resources to ensure that every Oregonian has a safe place to call home.”

“No family should have to live in perpetual fear of their children facing the health threat in their own homes from lead-based paint. In 2021, it’s long past time to eradicate lead-based paint from our homes,” Wyden said. “This grant is a huge win in  lead-based paint abatement for the Medford community so we can continue to build healthy homes for all.”

“This award is a major victory for the Medford community,” said City of Medford Mayor Randy Sparacino. “Addressing the important issue of lead-based paint hazards in area homes will help ensure the health and safety of our residents while also tackling the community’s need for additional affordable housing. I would like to thank our staff and each of our partners, as well as the congressional delegation, for all of their work to make this happen.”

Over $1.7 million of the funding is being allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Lead Hazard Reduction grant program—a program dedicated to cleaning up lead-based paint in low-income families’ homes. An additional $400,000 is coming from HUD’s Healthy Homes Supplemental funding, which helps communities mitigate health, safety, and lead-based paint hazards.

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